Traffic Lights for Residential Driveways

[JoePCool14]

I like these too.  Also, could these possibly be the only driveway signals that have protected lefts?

Didn't notice you said this until I re-read the thread, but no it's not the only one. This one in Northbrook, IL has three signals facing one driveway, all displaying a protected left for the driveway.

https://www.google.com/maps/@42.1166278,-87.8391324,3a,75y,68.98h,83.04t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sUh_J5XbvhLvqXkd-Pxfcmg!2e0!5s20120901T000000!7i13312!8i6656

[jdbx]

This is an interesting old thread to see resurrected.  Here is one that I have not seen mentioned yet, at Cowell Road and Coventry Road in Concord, CA:

Protected left turn INTO a private home's driveway.  That same driveway also has signals for when they exit.

https://www.google.com/maps/@37.9660384,-122.0230003,3a,75y,284.97h,81.04t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sL4QOvhxfeoe__MGGhQFb2w!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

[paulthemapguy]

I like these too.  Also, could these possibly be the only driveway signals that have protected lefts?

Didn't notice you said this until I re-read the thread, but no it's not the only one. This one in Northbrook, IL has three signals facing one driveway, all displaying a protected left for the driveway.  I think Will County saw those as excessive (they are).

https://www.google.com/maps/@42.1166278,-87.8391324,3a,75y,68.98h,83.04t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sUh_J5XbvhLvqXkd-Pxfcmg!2e0!5s20120901T000000!7i13312!8i6656

As you know, this is how IDOT typically does their split-phase signals.  Interesting that your example shows the lefts for the cars exiting driveway, whereas my Crest Hill example, also a split phase, doesn't have left arrows for the driveway. https://www.google.com/maps/@41.5924342,-88.122563,3a,75y,265.95h,95.66t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1shIMyMpxo86oPCJUlWF8qnQ!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

[Brandon]

I like these too.  Also, could these possibly be the only driveway signals that have protected lefts?

Didn't notice you said this until I re-read the thread, but no it's not the only one. This one in Northbrook, IL has three signals facing one driveway, all displaying a protected left for the driveway.  I think Will County saw those as excessive (they are).

https://www.google.com/maps/@42.1166278,-87.8391324,3a,75y,68.98h,83.04t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sUh_J5XbvhLvqXkd-Pxfcmg!2e0!5s20120901T000000!7i13312!8i6656

As you know, this is how IDOT typically does their split-phase signals.  Interesting that your example shows the lefts for the cars exiting driveway, whereas my Crest Hill example, also a split phase, doesn't have left arrows for the driveway. https://www.google.com/maps/@41.5924342,-88.122563,3a,75y,265.95h,95.66t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1shIMyMpxo86oPCJUlWF8qnQ!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

Yet all of them have the IDOT minimum signal requirements: 3 signals for the driveway.

[JoePCool14]

I like these too.  Also, could these possibly be the only driveway signals that have protected lefts?

Didn't notice you said this until I re-read the thread, but no it's not the only one. This one in Northbrook, IL has three signals facing one driveway, all displaying a protected left for the driveway.  I think Will County saw those as excessive (they are).

https://www.google.com/maps/@42.1166278,-87.8391324,3a,75y,68.98h,83.04t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sUh_J5XbvhLvqXkd-Pxfcmg!2e0!5s20120901T000000!7i13312!8i6656

As you know, this is how IDOT typically does their split-phase signals.  Interesting that your example shows the lefts for the cars exiting driveway, whereas my Crest Hill example, also a split phase, doesn't have left arrows for the driveway. https://www.google.com/maps/@41.5924342,-88.122563,3a,75y,265.95h,95.66t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1shIMyMpxo86oPCJUlWF8qnQ!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

Interestingly enough, this signal was installed by Cook County I believe within the last 15 years or so. Used to just be a three-way (or four-way, I guess) stop. Either way, as a kid I always was so excited when I saw a car waiting to leave the driveway, and I would ride my bike up to the light just to see it change. From then 'til today, I've still probably only seen it a couple dozen times.

[UCFKnights]

Just found this one in Schenectady, New York on Google Street View at the intersection with Target & Saratoga Road (NY Route 50)

From the street view you can see that the driveway has two lights with a left turn arrow light (don't know what that light is called) and has a left turn lane for the driveway on northbound Route 50 with a doghouse for the left turn into the driveway. Plus the Target road has a left and straight turn lane.

https://goo.gl/maps/8yqdhLLRcES2

Yes, it appears their is a detector on the pole nearest to the house.

What this thread brings up, especially the above link, is the issue of signal detection at the driveway leg of the intersection.  Obviously, this leg of the intersection will have very few cars at each cycle and should not be triggered at every light cycle.  So there should be a way of only triggering this when the resident wants to pull out.

One approach would be to provide signal detection, even though it may be costly.

A second approach is to always provide a green when opposing traffic has a green.  For the odd circumstance where the resident wants to proceed and nobody is coming from the opposite side - he'll just have to wait or make a right turn.

A third approach is to provide that the signal changes  on a timer and stop main street traffic regularly, even though the driveway gets little use.

For the above singal to work - the provision of its own exclusive phase, exclusive of opposing traffic, there would need to be signal detection, otherwise it is very inefficient.

Hasn't signal detection been normal since the 1970's? I'd be very surprised if the driveway wasn't activated by detection already.

[Aerobird]

These aren't unknown in Tallahassee, Florida; this is one of the ones I immediately think of, where the extension of Doyle Connor Boulevard to Apalachee Parkway about a decade or so ago came out directly across from a (lengthy) driveway for a house on an acreage, so the driveway was signalized as part of the intersection.

[STLmapboy]

Thread bump:
St Louis example
Irwin, PA example complete with a NTOR
Also quote from another poster in a different thread

That's actually pretty interesting. As for my little town of Indiana, I only know about a few driveways that are controlled by stop signs.
As for a different area, near Charlestown, IN, a small driveway intersects SR 62 with some warehouses.

https://www.google.com/maps/@38.3607674,-85.7003814,3a,75y,319.03h,79.89t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sH9jUGF00wTyqflRR780F6Q!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

[KEK Inc.]

http://goo.gl/maps/c6QvH
Suder Avenue - just south of Ottawa River Road.  Light was put in when Kroger was built a few years ago.

On the topic - are the traffic signals serving such driveways turned off at night or dimmed?  One would think it would be a distraction to have three colors beaming into your living room or your bedroom at night.

Someone else bumped it, but I feel compelled to reply to this anyways. 

https://www.google.com/maps/@47.780277,-122.2231847,3a,75y,217.25h,90.98t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sD7eOTlTBetr1V5ZR6qnaZQ!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

This example in Bothell has a 3M visor. 

I've driven by it at night, and it's very dim.  Interestingly enough, on SV, you can see that the luminaire has a shield, the yellow signal border is peeling off of one of the mainline signals, and one of the pedestrian signals is knocked off.

[GenExpwy]

In Geneseo NY, there is a large historic estate called the Wadsworth Homestead, which has been open for events since 2011. The 2007 StreetView shows a traffic signal for the driveway back when it was just a private residence.

https://www.google.com/maps/@47.780277,-122.2231847,3a,75y,217.25h,90.98t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sD7eOTlTBetr1V5ZR6qnaZQ!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

This example in Bothell has a 3M visor. 

I've driven by it at night, and it's very dim.  Interestingly enough, on SV, you can see that the luminaire has a shield, the yellow signal border is peeling off of one of the mainline signals, and one of the pedestrian signals is knocked off.

Is it my imagination, or are there four signals facing the driveway, while the streets themselves have just two or three?

[NWI_Irish96]

Thread bump:
St Louis example
Irwin, PA example complete with a NTOR
Also quote from another poster in a different thread

That's actually pretty interesting. As for my little town of Indiana, I only know about a few driveways that are controlled by stop signs.
As for a different area, near Charlestown, IN, a small driveway intersects SR 62 with some warehouses.

https://www.google.com/maps/@38.3607674,-85.7003814,3a,75y,319.03h,79.89t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sH9jUGF00wTyqflRR780F6Q!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

Fun fact: if you live in the eastern half of the country and responded to the 2020 Census by mail, it went to a facility about a mile from that spot.

[STLmapboy]

Thread bump:
St Louis example
Irwin, PA example complete with a NTOR
Also quote from another poster in a different thread

That's actually pretty interesting. As for my little town of Indiana, I only know about a few driveways that are controlled by stop signs.
As for a different area, near Charlestown, IN, a small driveway intersects SR 62 with some warehouses.

https://www.google.com/maps/@38.3607674,-85.7003814,3a,75y,319.03h,79.89t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sH9jUGF00wTyqflRR780F6Q!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

Fun fact: if you live in the eastern half of the country and responded to the 2020 Census by mail, it went to a facility about a mile from that spot.

Indiana or Penna?
Also, the someone17 example has an interesting "cars only" u-turn sign. Never seen that before.

[NWI_Irish96]

Thread bump:
St Louis example
Irwin, PA example complete with a NTOR
Also quote from another poster in a different thread

That's actually pretty interesting. As for my little town of Indiana, I only know about a few driveways that are controlled by stop signs.
As for a different area, near Charlestown, IN, a small driveway intersects SR 62 with some warehouses.

https://www.google.com/maps/@38.3607674,-85.7003814,3a,75y,319.03h,79.89t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sH9jUGF00wTyqflRR780F6Q!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

Fun fact: if you live in the eastern half of the country and responded to the 2020 Census by mail, it went to a facility about a mile from that spot.

Indiana or Penna?
Also, the someone17 example has an interesting "cars only" u-turn sign. Never seen that before.

Indiana

[PurdueBill]

In Geneseo NY, there is a large historic estate called the Wadsworth Homestead, which has been open for events since 2011. The 2007 StreetView shows a traffic signal for the driveway back when it was just a private residence.

https://www.google.com/maps/@47.780277,-122.2231847,3a,75y,217.25h,90.98t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sD7eOTlTBetr1V5ZR6qnaZQ!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

This example in Bothell has a 3M visor. 

I've driven by it at night, and it's very dim.  Interestingly enough, on SV, you can see that the luminaire has a shield, the yellow signal border is peeling off of one of the mainline signals, and one of the pedestrian signals is knocked off.

Is it my imagination, or are there four signals facing the driveway, while the streets themselves have just two or three?

It looks like two for each of the two driveways, angled slightly differently toward each.  The straight driveway has the two pole-mounts and the curved one the overheads.

[webny99]

Also, the someone17 example has an interesting "cars only" u-turn sign. Never seen that before.

New York uses a slight variant: "NO TRUCK U-TURN" with accompanying advance warnings for trucks so they know which intersections they can use to U-turn.

[STLmapboy]

Not quite the same thing, but this abandoned lot in Indiana has its own RYG signal and doghouse.

[LilianaUwU]

A retirement home in Québec City has its own signals.

[CoreySamson]

This driveway in Angleton, TX gets its own signals:

https://www.google.com/maps/@29.1638846,-95.4463124,3a,75y,310.43h,83.53t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sbso3C9KeJaS_syObbFXDRA!2e0!6s%2F%2Fgeo1.ggpht.com%2Fcbk%3Fpanoid%3Dbso3C9KeJaS_syObbFXDRA%26output%3Dthumbnail%26cb_client%3Dmaps_sv.tactile.gps%26thumb%3D2%26w%3D203%26h%3D100%26yaw%3D322.03552%26pitch%3D0%26thumbfov%3D100!7i16384!8i8192

The signal's only there because of the school, so when the school isn't being used the house basically has its own signal.

[STLmapboy]

I found a driveway in Virginia that is all but signalized--gantries, two-section beacons, signs, the works.

[NoGoodNamesAvailable]

I found a driveway in Virginia that is all but signalized--gantries, two-section beacons, signs, the works.

Honestly, what a waste. To put up a whole extra gantry for a private driveway is just disrespectful of public funds.

[fwydriver405]

This is an interesting old thread to see resurrected.  Here is one that I have not seen mentioned yet, at Cowell Road and Coventry Road in Concord, CA:

Protected left turn INTO a private home's driveway.  That same driveway also has signals for when they exit.

https://www.google.com/maps/@37.9660384,-122.0230003,3a,75y,284.97h,81.04t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sL4QOvhxfeoe__MGGhQFb2w!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

There's a whole bunch in Maine and New Hampshire I could list:

Orono ME (the driveway is yellow trapped by the right turn signal coming out of the University Mall, protected left for the driveway from Stillwater)
Somersworth NH
Eliot ME
Rochester NH

[catch22]

Here's one not too far from my house.

https://goo.gl/maps/tt2QGainrGF4LGDz5

[jeffandnicole]

I found a driveway in Virginia that is all but signalized--gantries, two-section beacons, signs, the works.

Honestly, what a waste. To put up a whole extra gantry for a private driveway is just disrespectful of public funds.

Heh. At least public funds got used here. You would be amazed at the waste of funds that don't result in anything being done.

[JoePCool14]

Here's one not too far from my house.

https://goo.gl/maps/tt2QGainrGF4LGDz5

I wonder how the sight lines on that one are.

[PurdueBill]

I found a driveway in Virginia that is all but signalized--gantries, two-section beacons, signs, the works.

Honestly, what a waste. To put up a whole extra gantry for a private driveway is just disrespectful of public funds.

Heh. At least public funds got used here. You would be amazed at the waste of funds that don't result in anything being done.

Why is one of the pairs of flashing yellows horizontal while all the other signals are vertical at that intersection (including the yellow the other way)?  Weird.